Erik ten Hag has defended Antony and declared that his Brazilian flop can be ‘unstoppable’ when he is back on form.

Antony’s future at Old Trafford is up in the air with United prepared to listen to offers for him in the summer, even if it means making a sizeable loss on his £86million transfer from Ajax in the summer of 2022.

It’s understood that Ten Hag still hasn’t written the 24-year-old player off despite starting him just once in the last eight games – the FA Cup fourth round win at Newport. 

As United prepare to face Nottingham Forest in the fifth round of the cup at the City Ground on Wednesday night, Ten Hag backed Antony to come good again.

Erik ten Hag has come to the defence of Manchester United flop Antony after the Brazilian winger was left out of his team once again last weekend

Antony (right) was brought on in the very last minute of stoppage time against Fulham

Ten Hag fought hard to sign £86m Antony from his former club Ajax back in 2022

‘I backed him for a long time,’ said the United boss. ‘I know his abilities, great abilities. I know from the past he is unstoppable. 

‘No defender can stop him because he’s one of the quickest in the first 10 yards. When he plays that game I’m sure he will perform.

‘He is resilient, he is a character and he will fight back. I back him. He now has to wait for his chance and once he is there he has to pick up.’

Ten Hag defended his decision to play promote Forson to the starting line-up after Marcus Rashford switched to centre-forward to fill in for the injured Rasmus Hojlund.

The 19-year-old had a quiet game before he was replaced in the second half, but Ten Hag pointed to his faith in Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho as proof of his track record working with young talent.

‘First of all, I brought Kobbie Mainoo and everyone is questioning,’ added Ten Hag. ‘Now we are six weeks, the same people are saying he has to go in the England squad.

‘Garnacho? What is the manager doing? What is the staff doing? Similar. They need time. Omari came on. It’s not easy to come in. We didn’t play our best game. 

Ten Hag defended his team selection, arguing he brought in the impressive Kobbie Mainoo

‘He plays a reasonable game, he showed abilities. He can be a player for the future.

‘They need some time but they also have to know you don’t get time, you have to perform. When you come in you have to show. 

‘As a manager, they need the time. I will give them the time, I believe in these players.’